Oxfordshire trainers can look forward to running their horses at a new course in the South Midlands area next year.

A track is being set up at Whitfield, near Brackley, with the first meeting on Sunday, May 17.

The initiative comes from local farmer Martin Clarke following the closure last year of the popular course at Mollington, near Banbury.

It's a family project also involving experienced course builders Roger Clarke and his son, Andrew.

They have recruited Tony Howland, head groundsman at Cheltenham racecourse, to help construct what is planned to be a spectator-friendly track.